The history of Triumph TR6 paint codes is a study in the evolution of British Leyland's standardization efforts from 1969 to 1976. During this era, Triumph primarily utilized a two- or three-digit numeric system stamped onto the car's commission plate (usually found on the inner wing or door post). These codes were organized by color groups: for instance, reds typically ended in 2 (e.g., Signal Red 32, Pimento Red 72, and Carmine Red 82), while blues ended in 6 (e.g., Valencia Blue 66 or Royal Blue 56).
The five-digit numbers seen in your chart (such as 35252 for Pimento Red) are actually PPG/Ditzler formula codes, which became the industry standard for paint shops to accurately recreate these vintage hues decades after the factory closed. Toward the end of TR6 production in the mid-1970s, British Leyland began transitioning to a three-letter BLVC (British Leyland Vehicle Color) system (like CAA for Carmine), which is why many modern restoration guides list both the classic numeric and the later alphanumeric codes side-by-side.
